Im just curious how long i can expect to deal with cravings and related shit for. i am only on day 21 and chewed for about 14 years or so. i know im a total addict and will have to forever be alert and keep my Quit guarded, but i guess im just wondering if you ever get to a point where you can live weeks, months, etc without thinking about dip. Any insight from major veterans appreciated.
thx
I'm not an expert, but my theory is that YES, there will come a day when you go weeks or even months without thinking about it. That time is likely a LONG ways away. It varies for everyone, but the day will come. You'll always be an addict, but 10 years from now, you won't be dwelling on nicotene like you are today.
I am on day 215 and I can tell you that the craves are fewer, farther between and much less intense. I still believe I have a shorter temper, more anger and am a bit more anxious, but I am slowing learning how to deal with those emotions and things are improving. I hid behind a can a skoal for 20 years :), now I must learn how to deal more appropriately with people and my feelings towards them.
I have to hold on to a hope that at some point down the road there will come a day when i don't think about dip, don't get massive craves after i eat a meal, or find myself staring into space unable to concentrate on anything at all. I think beating this thing one day at a time is the only way for me. Regardless of whether its true or not, i have to believe that it will get better and i will return to "normal" at some point in my life. I just wish it would happen faster.
I was on the nic for about 14 years too. It took about six months for the cravings to really fade into the background. I'm at 835 days today and never crave. I'll get an occasional thought, but it's not really a craving, more like "I used to want a dip at times like these... I'm reall thankful I can spend time with my family rather than sneaking off for a dip". I go weeks at a time without thinking about tobacco (other than logging on to this site and posting roll), and when I do I use it as an opportunity to appreciate my freedom from it.
As teaka mentioned, short temper can be an issue. I had anger issues long after the cravings had faded away. That has gone away now too. Just another thing to be aware of as you find your way out of this mess; try not to be too much of a dick to those around you.
My approach to getting to a point where I don't think about nicotine: keep putting days between you and nic, and don't dwell on it too much. Learn to think about something else because nicotine doesn't matter anymore. It's not really like running away from the craving or shutting it out; more like accepting that it exists and then dismissing it because it's irrelevant. It's tough at first, but with practice it becomes second nature to think like a 'normal' person.... On the other hand, I think it would be possible to keep the cravings going on forever if you allow yourself to obsess over it.
Here is my .02 on the subject.
I do not crave like I used to. I do still have the occasional crave pop up but nothing like it used to be. I was like you early on and wanted the bad shit to end so I could enjoy all these good things I kept hearing everyone talk about.
My first 200 days sucked ass. There was an occasional good day tossed in there to keep me going but for the most part it sucked. Crazy ass anxiety, mood swings, craves etc. I just focused on the minute if I needed to, anything to keep dip out of my face.
Around day 200 there was a huge shift in my quit. I stopped using fake, my anxiety diminshed, the craves went away. I can tell you now I feel better than I have in years. I spent most of my teenage years and all of my adult years addicted to Nicotine so I am not sure what normal really is.
I know how I feel now and it is GREAT. 544 days in, as I say the occasional crave pops up but is quickly turned away when I ask myself " Do you really want to throw away how you feel now?". Just keep posting and stay clean, the good days are coming. You have to believe that and be willing to fight to get there....
STAY QUIT
Greg
